Old Bull vs Young Buck – Who takes it home?

Group 1 racing takes center stage in the west this weekend with the Winterbottom Stakes lighting up Ascot Racecourse, as some of Australia’s elite sprinters clash in one of the country’s most explosive 1200m contests. But the action extends well beyond Perth, with strong feature races also on offer at Rosehill Gardens and Caulfield Racecourse, rounding out a stacked program. We’re covering the feature races across the country, identifying the best bets, value plays, and the horses poised to shine this weekend.
🏇 Ascot Race 8 – Ascend Trophies Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m)
📝 Race Overview:
The Jungle Dawn Classic is a key 1400m feature for mares and an important lead-up into WA’s deeper summer targets. Run at Ascot, the race typically rewards horses with tactical speed and the ability to sustain a strong gallop through the home straight, rather than pure sit-and-sprint types. With a mix of progressive locals and mares returning from tougher company, tempo and race shape will be crucial — those able to land in off the speed with cover often gain a decisive edge.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: BONJOY
💰 Odds: ~$ 4.4
⚡ “Forgive the last run where she was left with too much to do — her form leading into it was excellent. She’s a proven Ascot performer with a strong record at the trip, maps to get a soft run just off midfield, and profiles to bounce back quickly here. Back against her own grade and at a distance she relishes, Bonjoy looks primed to put her best foot forward.”
💎 Best Value Bet: TOROPA
💰 Odds: ~$ 18
💥 “Has been building quietly and her latest run suggested she’s right on the cusp of finding peak form. Third-up now, she draws to settle off the speed and produce a sustained finish, and her overall win–place profile stacks up well against this field. At double-figure odds, she’s the right type of mare to sneak into the finish — genuine each-way value.”
🏇 Race 9 – MCA Polytrack Winterbottom Stakes (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
The Winterbottom Stakes is Western Australia’s premier sprint and one of the most explosive Group 1 races on the calendar, bringing together elite local speedsters and high-quality interstate sprinters at Ascot. Run over a fast and unforgiving 1200m, the race is traditionally decided by tactical speed, early positioning, and the ability to sustain top-end pressure deep into the straight. Ascot can reward on-pace runners when the tempo is controlled, but genuine speed battles often open the door for strong closers with a well-timed run. With seasoned Group performers clashing against emerging sprinters on the rise, this year’s Winterbottom shapes as a true championship sprint where execution — not reputation — will decide the result.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: Overpass
💰 Odds: ~$ 2.7
⚡ “Sets the standard among the sprinters and lines up chasing a third straight Winterbottom. His form stacks up great — he went toe-to-toe with the very best in the Everest before a tick over trial to get him ready for a WA ambush. Maps to control the race from the front, has a class edge over the field , and 1200m at this track he’s incredibly hard to run down.”
💎 Best Value Bet: Libertad
💰 Odds: ~$ 31
💥 “Has been closing off strongly against deeper sprint races over east and now lands in a setup that suits. The tempo up front brings his finishing burst into play, he draws to settle midfield with cover, and he looks well suited at Ascot’s long straight. At big odds, he’s the one who can charge late and surprise.”
🏇 Caulfield Race 8 – The Big Screen Company Zipping Classic (2400m)
📝 Race Overview:
The Zipping Classic is a traditional staying feature that brings together tough, seasoned stayers and emerging types stepping up to a testing 2400m. Run late in the spring, the race often rewards horses with proven stamina, the ability to absorb mid-race pressure, and a strong, sustained run from the 600m rather than a sharp sprint home. On the tight but fair Caulfield circuit, positioning and timing are crucial — runners who can hold a spot just off the speed and gradually build momentum typically hold a decisive edge. With several genuine stayers lining up and tempo expected to be honest, this year’s Zipping Classic shapes as a true endurance contest where strength wins out late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: ALALCANCE
💰 Odds: ~$ 5
⚡ “Has been building toward this and now lands exactly where she wants to be. Her fresh run was solid without being spectacular and didnt handle the wet last start. The step to 2400m is ideal, she draws to roll forward and control the tempo, and Craig Williams aboard is a major tick. With natural improvement third-up, she looks set to turn consistency into a winning run.”
💎 Best Value Bet: ETNA ROSSO
💰 Odds: ~$ 10
💥 “A genuine grinder who keeps putting himself right there in staying races without quite getting the prize. He was beaten narrowly two starts back and again stuck on strongly when runner-up last time, and he profiles perfectly for a truly run 2400m. If the leaders overdo it even slightly, his stamina and late strength can see him charging home at excellent odds.”
🏇 Race 9 – Tile Importer Doveton Stakes (1100m)
📝 Race Overview:
The Doveton Stakes is a high-speed 1100m dash that routinely throws up fierce early pressure and tight margins on the Caulfield circuit. With the short run to the bend, barriers and early intent are critical, and races here are often won by horses that can hold a prominent position without overcooking themselves mid-race. That said, a genuinely hot tempo can still bring strong closers into play late. This year’s renewal looks no different, with several sharp sprinters lining up in peak form, setting the scene for a fast, tactical contest where split-second decisions and race positioning will decide the outcome.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: BOSTON ROCKS
💰 Odds: ~$ 5
⚡ “Looks perfectly placed here after putting the writing on the wall with his last-start win at this track. He’s a sharp 1100m specialist, thrives when allowed to roll forward and take up a prominent role, and maps to sit just off the leader. His speed combined with proven Caulfield form makes him the runner they’ll find hardest to beat.”
💎 Best Value Bet: MARBLE NINE
💰 Odds: ~$ 13
💥 “Hard to knock his fresh record and his Caulfield sprint form stacks up extremely well. He’s proven over 1100m, jumps quickly, and draws to land right on the speed again. If the rail’s advantageous or leaders dominate, he’s the one who can stick on strongly and give a serious sight at double-figure odds.”
🏇 Race 8 – Gitani Stone Festival Stakes (1500m)
📝 Race Overview:
The Festival Stakes is a quality 1500m feature at Rosehill that regularly draws a deep and competitive field of middle-distance performers transitioning between sprint and mile campaigns. The Rosehill layout places an emphasis on tactical speed and positioning, with the long back straight allowing genuine tempo before a testing run home. Horses that can settle in the first half of the field and sustain a strong final 600m usually hold the edge, but a fast early pace can open the door for the stronger closers late. With several runners peaking at the right stage of their preparation, this year’s renewal shapes as a genuine tactical battle where patience and timing will be crucial.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: Yorkshire
💰 Odds: ~$ 3.3
⚡ “Forgive the latest run where suffered a cardiac arrhythmia — his trial effort prior showed he’s returned in great order. He’s a proven winner at this trip, maps to use his speed to control the race, and Rosehill’s 1500m plays perfectly to his strengths when he can dictate. With a clean run and even tempo, he looks set to bounce back sharply.”
💎 Best Value Bet: Robusto
💰 Odds: ~$ 13
💥 “Reliably competitive at this level and shapes as the improver off last starts effort. He was strong through the line fresh, gets conditions to suit, and draws to land in a stalking position with cover. His Rosehill record stacks up well, and if the leaders overdo it even slightly, he’s the one ready to capitalise late at appealing odds.”
🏇 Race 9 – ATC Cup (2000m)
📝 Race Overview:
The ATC Cup is a high-quality 2000m handicap that traditionally brings together proven middle-distance performers and emerging stayers deep into their preparations. Run around Rosehill’s testing circuit, the race places a premium on genuine strength and race craft — horses need to be able to travel comfortably through the middle stages before producing a sustained run from the 600m. Tempo is often solid rather than brutal, making position and timing crucial, but a genuine staying test still unfolds late. With several runners stepping out to 2000m at the right stage of their prep and others returning to a more suitable trip, this year’s ATC Cup shapes as a tactical contest where stamina and patience will decide the outcome.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: SHANGRI LA SPRING
💰 Odds: ~$ 3.4
⚡ “Forgive the last run where nothing went right — he was forced wide throughout and never got a chance to travel. His trial since has been sharp, he’s a proven winner at the trip, and Rosehill suits his on-speed pattern perfectly. Draws to roll forward and control the tempo, and if he gets any peace mid-race, he’ll take plenty of running down over the final 200m.”
💎 Best Value Bet: GOD’S WINDOW
💰 Odds: ~$ 5.5
💥 “Ran a huge race last start coming from the second half of the field against the tempo and hit the line strongly. Well rated dropping down the 2000m, maps to get a softer run this time, and his staying profile continues to trend the right way. If the speed lifts even slightly, he’s the one who can be launching late at an appealing price.”
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